PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS AFFECTING CONTRACEPTIVE USAGE: A CASE OF UNMET NEEDS IN GHANA

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between some selected socio-demographic variables and current contraceptive use among Ghanaian women. In spite of the remarkable efforts made in improving contraceptive prevalence rate in Ghana there are still substantial constrains to the number of users of contraceptive in the country. The paper considers some selected socio-demographic variables such as education, knowledge of access to contraceptive method, knowledge of method, employment status, marital status, region of residence, fertility preference and ethnicity. All the variables were found to be statistically significant. However, knowledge of access to contraceptive method was the most important variable. It is recommended that contraceptive providers must take keen interest in periodic sensitization of both users and the general public about the general benefits of contraceptive methods. Easy accessible avenues must be created to address complains in order to reduce the unmet needs of women.